Today post-Soviet countries mark Children’s Day. International Children’s Day has been marked on the first day of summer each year since 1950.

The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland proclaimed June 1 to be International Children’s Day in 1925. It is not clear as to why June 1 was chosen as International Children’s Day: one theory has it that the Chinese consul-general in San Francisco (USA) gathered a number of Chinese orphans to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in 1925, which happened to be on June 1 that year, and also coincided with the conference in Geneva.

Another variant of the Day is Universal Children’s Day on November 20, which was established on the recommendation of the United Nations.

FC Barcelona and Manchester United meet again at UEFA Champions League Final! 2 years ago Barca won the final with 2-0 at Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Saturday night’s Champions League final to be the best for a decade.

It will have to go some, given Liverpool‘s famous comeback triumph over AC Milan in Istanbul only came in 2005, but Manchester United against Barcelona certainly has all the ingredients to provide a Wembley classic, with the winner joining Bayern Munich and Ajax on four victories in European club football’s greatest stage.

“Many people would agree it is the final of the decade,” said Ferguson. “The success of both teams in the last decade has been enormous. The attraction of two great teams with great history is obvious. It is an appealing final in terms of what could happen in the game.”

He added: “There could be a lot of goals, there could be a lot of excitement and there will be a lot of good football, I am sure of that. It is set up. The platform is there. Hopefully it turns out that way.”

As Ferguson’s likely starting line-up has been touted for three weeks now, there is a predictability about United that is rarely associated with their combative manager.

A surprise or two can be expected therefore, as Ferguson attempts to get the better of Pep Guardiola, a man he came close to signing during his early days at Old Trafford.

“I was quite interested in Guardiola at one time,” said Ferguson. “I spoke to his agent when he left Barcelona but he decided to go to Italy. Maybe it was a moment lost because I admired him. He was a fantastic passer of the ball.”

Such a disciple of football history, Ferguson declined an opportunity to talk about the emotions of a game between two clubs who both conquered Europe for the first time at Wembley and one senses the United boss is focused on making amends for one that got away in 2009.

“According to the bookmakers we are underdogs,” he said. “That doesn’t really matter to us to be honest.

“Anybody going into a game of this nature doesn’t care what the betting is or what the experts say because of your preparation and what the players can add to what we are telling them. It is what happens on the pitch and we go out there with a genuine chance.”

The second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final takes place on May 3, at Nou Camp between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Los Blancos need to comeback from a two goal deficit which they conceded in their defeat to Pep Guardiola’s team just a week ago. The first leg was a feisty one for sure but the second leg will be a sight to behold as another Ronaldo versus Messi battle takes place. Thus let’s take a look at how both the outfits will line up in Catalonia.

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola’s team are in pole position to make it to the final of the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three years following their two goal rout of Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu in the first leg of the semi-final. However the men in red and blue will have to be at the top of their passing game when Real Madrid come calling at Nou Camp.
With the home support behind their backs, one would expect Barcelona to march to the final but the previous leg showcased that not even a two nil win can be termed as an easy win in an El Clasico. Barcelona will play the same way as they have done all season if Xavi Hernandez’s pre-match comments are to be taken seriously. If that is so, then they will run rampant against Real Madrid at Nou Camp.

Real Madrid

Humiliated and disgraced at their own home stadium just a week ago, Jose Mourinho’s men will need to produce an epic performance if they are to gain a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League at Wembley. Jose stated after the first leg that his team was already out of the competition after their two goal loss at Bernabéu but the Portuguese manager will surely go for the kill at Nou Camp. Madrid lost on the weekend as well to make matters worse for their manager.
Los Blancos have a great history in the European Cup but in the UEFA Champions League no team has ever pulled back from a two goal away defeat in the first leg. If anyone can do it, it’s Mourinho’s men. They will be hurting from the first leg and thus looking to gain revenge on their separatist rivals.

Team News

Barcelona will be without Maxwell, Adriano and Eric Abidal as well as Gabriel Milito. Milito pulled up with a hamstring injury in Barcelona’s two goals to one loss to Real Zaragoza at the weekend whereas Maxwell and Adriano are recovering from their previous injury troubles. Abidal is sidelined as he is still recovering from liver surgery.
Expected Barcelona line up: Victor Valdes, Daniel Alves, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Seydou Keita, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Pedro Rodriguez, David Villa, Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid are still fretting on Sami Khedira’s fitness levels alongside Fernando Gago. The German midfielder missed the first leg at Santiago Bernabéu and is set to miss the second leg at Nou Camp as well. Gago is also sidelined for the second leg. Sergio Ramos and Pepe are out of the second leg due to their bookings in the first leg against Barcelona
Expected Real Madrid line up: Iker Casillas, Raul Albiol, Ricardo Carvalho, Alvaro Arbeloa, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra, Ricardo Kaka, Gonzalo Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria

Prediction

Barcelona hardly falter in such situations. Their tiki-taka ideology will carry them through despite Real Madrid’s vengeful mood after the incidents at Santiago Bernabéu. Prediction: 2-1 to Barcelona.